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First Impressions: Crave Espresso Bar

Pen Parentis‘s M. M. De Voe had extolled the virtues of Crave Espresso Bar, newly opened on Canal, but I didn’t get around to visiting it until recently—mostly because it’s on that easy-to-overlook triangle between W. Broadway and Sixth (across from One York), but also because I seem to only end up in that area when I’m walking my dog, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving him out on Canal.

I finally made it in this week, and it’s far nicer than you’d expect from a Canal Street address. Most of the space has a double-high ceiling, except in the back where stairs lead up to a mezzanine with more seating, and there are picture windows facing the street and abundant northern light. The offerings include coffee drinks, bubble tea, baked goods (sweet things and bagels), and pre-made salads and sandwiches. The biggest draw, however, might be the free wi-fi.

“Are there other Craves?” I asked the owner, Nick, who also owns Black Burger next door. No, he replied, this is the first one. So maybe others are coming?